The Razor's Edge: A Postapocalytic Novel (The New World Book 6) Read Online Free PDF Page B

concern but never, ever tell me what to do. Do you understand me?”
    Ferguson looked Baxter in the eye and replied, “But, sir—”
    Baxter lifted his hand and motioned for him to be quiet. “Do you understand me?”
    “But, sir—”
    “Silence. The response I’m looking for from you is ‘sir, yes, sir.’”
    Ferguson could see he wasn’t going to win the battle so he relented, “Sir, yes, sir.”
    “Good, we understand each other,” Baxter said and got into the vehicle.

    ***

    Back at the executive offices, people were beginning to show up, and the hum of activity was accelerating.
    Baxter went to his office immediately; he opened the door to find a face he hadn’t seen in months. Eli Bennett was relaxing in his thick leather desk chair, his arms casually lying on his lap. Eli had been Annaliese’s driver from the hospital to Sandy, Utah, when she escaped. He had stayed in Utah, living a life of exile. When word of the bombing at President Conner’s speech and the subsequent death of Wilbur reached him, he thought it was time for him to return. However, he couldn’t return as Eli Bennett. Fortunately the refugee crisis made it easy for him to enter Cheyenne without documentation as he infiltrated the refugee population and walked right in. Over the past few months he’d managed to find a way to link back up with the resistance.
    “Congratulations, Mr. President.” Eli chuckled.
    Baxter looked behind him to see if anyone had heard the man’s comment and quickly shut the door. “What are you doing here?”
    “I’ve been back for months. With all the confusion I was able to slip inside and make my way here.”
    Baxter walked over to the desk and barked, “Get out of my chair. In fact get out of my office. I should have you arrested.”
    “I heard the news, how exciting for you,” Eli smirked.
    “You think I had something to do with that?” Baxter asked.
    Eli rocked back and forth and said, “Of course we did it, but some eyes will be looking at you.”
    “What do you want?” Baxter barked.
    “You did have a motive,” Eli teased, knowing his jabs irked Baxter.
    “I did not.”
    “I say you did, and many people will be able to connect the dots.”
    Baxter turned and grabbed the door handle but paused when Eli cautioned him.
    “I wouldn’t do what I think you’re about to do. If I don’t return, several people will spill the beans on you. General Baxter, you, Wilbur and Pat were spearheading the resistance until you chickened out.”
    Baxter let go of the handle and turned back around. “Damn it, man, what do you want?”
    “I want you to become president, I do. However, I want you to know who put you there. Actually, we want you, I’m not acting alone.”
    Baxter’s face tightened up as he clenched his jaw.
    “You will do whatever we tell you,” Eli said and stood.
    “I need you to leave,” Baxter said.
    Eli walked around the desk and stopped inches from Baxter. “Tell me, how did Bethanny die? I heard she was found in an alley with a bullet to the head. I’ve also heard the bullet was recovered but somehow lost. And poor Pat, he ended up dead the same way. At first I thought you killed her but then I remembered how you’d look at her. You had a thing for Bethanny.”
    “Out.”
    “I’m leaving, don’t worry. Just make sure you put me on the list. I’ll be returning often once you occupy that office down the hall,” Eli said and exited.
    When the door closed, Baxter sighed loudly. He thought he had covered his tracks, but his past had come back with a vengeance. Lamenting that he had ever joined their ranks, he sauntered to his chair and fell into it. He spun around and looked out the window. Several blocks away a black plume rose to the gray sky. When he had mentioned the word tragedy earlier, he meant it. He had never wanted any of this to happen. Back when he flirted with the resistance, he did so as a challenge to Conner’s increasing tyrannical moves. Now it appeared